Things You'll Need:
- Picture (see Step 2 for important requirements)
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Step 1
Choose a photo that is meaningful for both of you. While pictures that show the faces of the bride and groom are the most popular approach, you could also dare to be different and use a closeup of your joined hands or a silhouette of the two of you together, perhaps in a location that is significant in some way. There’s room for humor here, too--just imagine including the bride’s father, posing with a shotgun!
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Step 2
Prepare your photo by getting it into the proper digital format so that you can email it to the printing company of your choice. Most companies prefer JPEG format with the highest possible resolution. If you cannot provide a file that is at least 300 ppi/dpi, you may want to reconsider using this type of wedding invitation. For best results, you want 600 ppi/dpi.If your photo happens to be a traditional print, you will need to have it scanned and saved as a JPEG. In such cases, it is better to scan the negative than the print; any quality photo store should be able to do this for you or refer you to someone who can.
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Step 3
Decide how much emphasis you want to place on the picture. Will it make a statement alone, or should you pair it with a verse, quotation or caption? It can be tempting to “talk” too much here, so remember that there will be a lot of additional text on the invitation, and you don’t want it to overpower your photo. Decide where you want the reader to focus first and then second. Thinking about this can help you visualize your invitation.
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Step 4
Consider the other elements of a traditional invitation that you will need. Formal invitations have an inner envelope that specifies exactly who is invited (for example, Ms. Jane Doe and Guest). How about reception cards and R.S.V.P. cards and envelopes? There are no iron-clad rules here. You may want to invite email responses and save on postage, because these additional “frills” can make a huge difference in the cost of your invitation package.
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Step 5
Check out the websites listed in the Resources section. While there are many companies offering photo wedding invitation services online, these two cover a very broad range of styles and options, from basic budget 5-by-7 inch photo invitations and all-in-one “seal-and-send” invitations that don’t need envelopes to others that are more upscale, with accents like satin bows or see-through overlays. From consulting both these sites, you should get a good idea of what your invitations will cost. You can then look elsewhere for additional options.
